Florida: An Example of How Conservatives Win From Principle

While defenders of freedom might feel like they’ve gotten a little kick in the butt last night, we too have reasons to be optimistic. First, I wrote a piece that appeared on our book’s website about the election of Barack Obama. Even though I co-authored a book that was very critical of him, I think as Americans, we can all take something “good” out of this result:

But, a few other brief notes. I apologize that Florida went to Obama. At least we kept it close (don’t we always?). But, let me tell you where Florida came through.

There are 25 U.S. Congressional seats in Florida. Before the night started, Republicans held 16 of them. We still hold 15. In essence, 60% of our U.S. congressional delegation remains in Republican control – most of whom are solid conservatives. While the GOP lost 2 seats, we won back the seat Mark Foley lost in 2006. So, we only had one net loss in a year where the GOP went down again hard nationally.

Second, even with an Obama victory in our state, Florida passed (with 63% of the vote) a Marriage Protection Amendment for our state constitution. 60% of the vote is required to put something in Florida’s state constiution. Our radical state supreme court shouldn’t be able to touch that. I have a hunch that the large black turnout for Obama may have actually helped protect marriage as most blacks share the conservative social values.

Third, our very conservative state legislature remains that way. There are a few close races and some recounts being done, but before election day, Republicans had a 77-43 majority in the Florida house and a 26-14 advantage in the state senate. It looks like it will be almost exactly that same control. Obama’s victory in our state did not affect the rest of the dynamics here.

The lesson for conservatives is right here in Florida: when you govern from principle, you win and your community, state, and nation is better for it. From my observation, most conservatives here in Florida do govern from principle. I can’t say the same for our current Republican governor and he may pay the price in 2010. Voters here were obviously caught up in the “change” factor – as it relates to the national political scene – but they seem to like the way the state is governed. And, the passing of the marriage amendments here in Florida and in places like California, show that this nation is still one made up of traditional social values.

So, there are reasons for conservatives to be optimistic – and as a Floridian, I challenge all conservatives around the nation to look to our state as an example. And despite the total Democrat Party control of the Whitet House and both houses of Congress, America is still the place where all things are possible. (Just ask Nancy Pelosi!)